Electron spin in (bio)chemistry
In chemistry and biology, electrons are typically considered only for their charge—the property that governs their interactions with electric fields. Yet electrons also carry spin, a quantum property that enables interactions with magnetic fields. This dimension of electron behavior remains largely overlooked in molecular science and biology.
Due to the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect, electron spin becomes intrinsically linked to molecular chirality. While most biomolecules and organic compounds are non-magnetic and do not directly respond to magnetic fields, CISS reveals that in chiral environments—ubiquitous in biology—charge polarization induced by electric fields is accompanied by spin polarization, as charge transport becomes spin-dependent.
This challenges conventional views of molecular interactions, particularly at interfaces with magnetic materials, and invites a reexamination of long-standing assumptions in chemical and biological systems.
Our research investigates how spin-selective processes can be harnessed to control reactivity and recognition. We study how electron spin influences chemical phenomena such as asymmetric catalysis, polymerization, and charge transfer. We are also interested in how these spin-dependent effects might extend to the geosciences—for instance, through chirality-induced magnetization. Last but not least, we are exploring the role of spin interactions underlying molecular recognition and long-range electron transfer in biology—offering a new layer of understanding and control over life's most fundamental processes.